What to do when a retiree dies

Things You Should Have

Collect all relevant papers and documents. This includes wills, insurance policies, annuities, deeds, statements of ownership, bills and loans.

Originals or copies of death certificates are needed for most agencies you need to notify; e.g. NYC Teachers’ Retirement System, Social Security, etc.

Health and Welfare Coverage

The federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reduction Act – COBRA, Public Law 99-2721, Title X – requires the New York City Employee Benefits Program to offer the opportunity for a temporary extension of group health and welfare coverage. This continuation coverage pertains to ALL health benefits, including optional benefits and Welfare Fund benefits. The rates charged for continuation coverage are 102% of the group rates for a surviving spouse or dependent.

Under COBRA, the spouse or dependent child has the responsibility to notify the Employee Benefits Program and the UFT Welfare Fund within 60 days of the death of the retiree, divorce, legal separation, or a child losing dependent status. Notification should be sent by certified mail to:

Retirement Allowance

Return the last check received after the death of the retiree. The Retirement System will return to the beneficiary the pro-rated amount due for the days prior to the member’s death.

Send an original death certificate to the Teachers’ Retirement System, which will begin procedures to notify the beneficiary(ies) if the retiree had selected an option when he/she retired. Send the information to the address below:

Welfare Fund

The Welfare Fund is extending coverage to surviving spouse/dependents for an additional three months beyond the month the member dies.

SHIP

You can terminate insurance and receive refunds of any balances of the Supplemental Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) premium. Your spouse may continue to be covered by SHIP with proper health coverage (SHIP will explain). Write to:

UFT SHIP
52 Broadway
New York, NY 10004
(212) 228-9060

Reimbursements

Medicare, Part B.
If the retiree and/or the spouse/domestic partner were Medicare eligible and paid for Medicare, Part B, the surviving spouse/domestic partner or estate would be eligible for the reimbursements up to the date of death of the retiree. Write a letter to:

City of New York
Health Benefits Program
40 Rector Street
3rd Floor, Medicare Unit
New York, NY 10006

Optional rider reimbursement
The surviving spouse/dependents are eligible for the reimbursements of the optional rider up the date of death of the retiree. Contact: